Part 8: The Green Man
MORNING AT THE HORIZON. FRANK EXITS THE OFFICE AND WALKS OUT INTO THE PARKING LOT SIPPING COFFEE. IT IS A TIME OF DAY WHEN HE THINKS EVERYONE ELSE IS ASLEEP. AFTER A MOMENT WE HEAR THE SOUND OF SOMETHING VERY FAR AWAY. IT CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS THE CALL OF A VERY, VERY LARGE ANIMAL.
FRANK
What the fuck...
FRANK’S PHONE RINGS.
FRANK (CONT’D) Trinkett.
TRINKETT
(On the phone.)
Did you hear that?
FRANK
Yeah... yeah I did.
TRINKETT
Okay... Uh... what now?
FRANK
Hang on, I’m trying to convince myself it was an elk.
TRINKETT
Uh-huh... it wasn’t an elk, Frank.
FRANK
No... no, it wasn’t.
TRINKETT ...
FRANK
... Before we freak out about this, how about we consider it was just our imaginations and it was one of those shared hallucination things.
TRINKETT
Sure okay.
FRANK
...
TRINKETT ...
THEY HEAR THE FAR-AWAY CALL AGAIN.
FRANK
Jesus Christ.
TRINKETT
Okay... Okay... I’m voting no on our imaginations.
FRANK
What the fuck is it?
TRINKETT
... We have to go see.
FRANK
Wow, just the worst thing you could possibly say.
TRINKETT
I’m going to pack a bag, how soon can you leave?
FRANK
What?
TRINKETT
How soon can you leave?
FRANK
We’re not going out there.
TRINKETT
Of course we are.
FRANK
Trinkett, that was not the kind of sound you go towards, that’s a run away sound.
TRINKETT
Frank, time is of the essence so let me cut to the chase here. Whatever we just heard we don’t want someone else in town to find it, right? Also, I’m definitely going to go see and I know you’re not going to let me go alone.
FRANK
...
TRINKETT
I mean, we can go round and round for five minutes, will that make you feel better?
FRANK
... I’m bringing my Winchester and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.
TRINKETT
I don’t approve but whatever gets you in your truck.
FRANK
... Fine.
WE MOVE TO THE INTERIOR OF FRANK’S TRUCK DRIVING UP A MOUNTAIN ROAD.
TRINKETT
Do you think we could get up to Barrett Spur by nightfall?
FRANK
Maybe.
TRINKETT
I was thinking if we could get above the treeline maybe we could see something from there.
FRANK
Maybe.
TRINKETT
Did you bring your binoculars?
FRANK
Yes.
TRINKETT
... Are you hungry? I brought some trail bars that I made.
FRANK
Ooh, I do not want to know what’s in those.
TRINKETT
It’s sorghum, cacao nibs and molasses, Frank, it’s not a magical potion.
FRANK
Anything else?
TRINKETT
There’s some green algae in there.
FRANK
And?
TRINKETT
... Ginseng.
FRANK
If I keep asking are the ingredients going to get weirder?
TRINKETT
Probably.
FRANK
...
TRINKETT
... I can’t believe we’re doing this.
FRANK
This was your idea.
TRINKETT
I know, I still can’t believe we’re doing this.
FRANK
... We’re going to get up there and have a look and then we’re never going to hear anything again. That’s probably what’s going to happen.
TRINKETT
And I’d be fine with that.
FRANK
Good...
TRINKETT ...
FRANK
... Think it’s bigfoot?
TRINKETT
Frank.
FRANK
What?
TRINKETT
No, I don’t think it’s bigfoot.
FRANK
You don’t believe in bigfoot?
TRINKETT No.
FRANK
... You believe in a lot of things.
TRINKETT
Bigfoot isn’t one of the things.
FRANK
Okay.
TRINKETT
... Thank you for coming.
FRANK
It’s still the slow season, June’ll be fine on her own.
TRINKETT
... Oh right, you run a motel.
FRANK
What?
TRINKETT
Nothing, it’s just weird to hear about normal things now.
FRANK
I know.
TRINKETT
Bigfoot would be a relief, honestly.
FRANK
“Thank God, it’s only bigfoot.”
TRINKETT
Exactly.
FRANK
...
TRINKETT
... So there’s something I need to tell you.
FRANK
Great.
TRINKETT
... We’ve talked about this before but it’s kind of been getting lost in the noise so...
FRANK
The comet.
TRINKETT
Yes...
FRANK
Still heading for Earth?
TRINKETT
Remember I told you I had that friend in South America who worked at an observatory?
FRANK
Uh huh.
TRINKETT
He’s the one I was getting all my information from. Last I talked to him the Wayfairng Stranger was still headed for our neighborhood.
FRANK
Joy.
TRINKETT
The good news is it’s looking like it’s not going to strike Earth directly.
FRANK
Okay.
TRINKETT
But there’s still a high chance of it passing very close by. Meaning it could shed a ton of debris on Earth.
FRANK
Fantastic.
TRINKETT
But there’s no real way to know.
FRANK
Trinkett, I hate to bring common sense into the conversation, but I feel like if a comet was heading for earth that it would be on the news or something.
TRINKETT
There’s a whole community of stargazers out there. My friend Joshua is in the minority on this particular issue.
FRANK
How much of a minority?
TRINKETT
I suppose you could call it a fringe theory.
FRANK
So this could all add up to nothing?
TRINKETT
Yeah, the thing I have to tell you is: I called him yesterday to get an update and a “Corporal Diaz” picked up the phone. He said that all communication with the observatory was to go through him now.
FRANK
... Where is this again?
TRINKETT
Chile.
FRANK
... So the Chilean military has seized control of an observatory.
TRINKETT
Yes.
FRANK
... Not the greatest sign.
TRINKETT
The military is not in the habit of seizing control of observatories, no.
FRANK
... Can we get some sort ball park estimate of what could and couldn’t happen here?
TRINKETT
The ball park is... in one scenario we just have a really stunning light show as debris burns up in the atmosphere.
FRANK
That sounds good.
TRINKETT
The other scenario being several fragments of the comet the size of a small town crashing down, destroying a significant part of the earth and causing irreversible damage to the whole damn planet.
FRANK
Uh-huh... So somewhere between those two?
TRINKETT
Yes. Or nothing at all.
FRANK
Sure.
TRINKETT
Though, the way things have been going...
FRANK
“I’m sure it’s nothing” doesn’t seem to be doing it lately.
TRINKETT No.
FRANK
Okay...
TRINKETT
... Okay...
FRANK
...
TRINKETT ...
FRANK
Let’s go find bigfoot.
TRINKETT
Sure.
WE MOVE TO A TRAIL HIGH UP ON THE MOUNTAIN. FRANK AND TRINKETT MAKE THEIR WAY ALONG A NARROW PATH.
FRANK
Watch your step, it gets pretty narrow.
TRINKETT
I haven’t been up here in years.
FRANK
Park service is doing a pretty shitty job of maintaining these trails.
TRINKETT
You come up here a lot, right?
FRANK
Used to.
TRINKETT
I thought you did this every year.
FRANK
I did, but then I took over the Horizon and things got busy.
TRINKETT
You should really get back to it, rituals like this are important, Frank.
FRANK
I know... Shit.
TRINKETT
What?
FRANK
Looks like there was a rock slide at some point, the trails completely covered.
TRINKETT
Can we get past it?
FRANK
I usually complain about stuff like this and it gets fixed.
TRINKETT
Well you haven’t been up here and you haven’t been complaining, I guess this is what happens.
FRANK
... I don’t know if this is a good idea.
TRINKETT
We can get past it. We’ll climb over the rocks and the trail keeps going, it should be fine.
FRANK
We’re pretty high up, Trinkett.
TRINKETT
It’s not like I’ve never been up here, Frank. I’ll take it one step at a time, it’ll be fine. We should get a move on it’ll be dark soon.
FRANK
... Fine. I’ll go first to make sure there’s no surprises.
TRINKETT
That sounds great.
FRANK
Okay...
FRANK BEGINS TO CLIMB OVER THE PILE OF ROCKS THAT ARE COVERING THE PATH.
TRINKETT
Take it slow.
FRANK
I’m taking it slow. The rocks covering the path look pretty settled in, I think they’ve been here for a while... This is what happens to the world when I stop complaining, Trinkett. Everything goes straight to hell.
TRINKETT
Nobody understands how important you are to the world, Frank.
FRANK
Exactly... Okay, when I get to the other side I’m going to tie a rope to myself-
THE ROCKS BEGIN TO SLIP UNDER FRANK’S FEET AND THEY ALL BEGIN TO SLIDE AWAY.
FRANK (CONT’D)
Fuck- SHIT!
TRINKETT
FRANK!
FRANK SLIPS OFF THE EDGE AND OVER THE SIDE OF THE CLIFF, WITH SEVERAL SMALL ROCKS FOLLOWING AFTER HIM. FRANK IS GONE.
TRINKETT (CONT’D)
Oh fuck! Shit, Frank?!?! FRANK!
TRINKETT TAKES OFF RUNNING BACK DOWN THE TRAIL. FAR OFF SHE STILL CALLS TO FRANK.
TRINKETT (CONT’D)
(Far off.)
Frank!
AFTER A MOMENT WE MOVE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CLIFF. FAR OFF, TRINKETT COMES RUNNING DOWN THE PATH LOOKING FOR FRANK.
TRINKETT (CONT’D)
Frank?! Frank can you hear me?! Are you hurt?! Try and make any sound at all!!... Frank?!
FRANK
I’m right here.
TRINKETT
Oh FUCK!... Holy shit, Frank you scared the SHIT out of me goddamn! I couldn’t see where you... where you fell... Where you...
FRANK
I’m fine.
TRINKETT
... You’re... you’re fine.
FRANK
Yeah.
TRINKETT
You’re...
FRANK
...
TRINKETT
... That’s... Frank that was a... four story fall.
FRANK
... Yeah.
TRINKETT
... You can’t be fine after that.
FRANK
... Let’s make camp.
WE HEAR THE SOUND OF A CAMPFIRE. FRANK TELLS HIS STORY.
FRANK (CONT’D)
... I tried to write it off as nothing... but the evidence started to mount up... First it was Rambo... When Rambo came out of the woods, all two tons of him, it was like he couldn’t see me. When June came out of the office he started howling at her, he could see her, he could see Verge. I waved my arms trying to get his attention but it was like I wasn’t there... Then there was the mushrooms... then the ayahuasca...
TRINKETT
... Frank for anyone to survive that fall would be a miracle.
FRANK
... It was like jumping down from the branch of a tree.
TRINKETT
... Her name was what? Clementine?
FRANK
Yeah.
TRINKETT
And you’re saying all this is happening because of her?
FRANK
Yes... We thought the first weird thing that happened was Relentless Rick... it was me. I was the first weird thing to happen in town.
TRINKETT
Okay, I’m going to go ahead and stick a pin in this Clementine person and whatever this diner is that you’re talking about and I’m just going to focus on you, okay?
FRANK
Okay.
TRINKETT
...What about smaller things? Are there little things you’ve noticed? Maybe not weird on their own but they add up?
FRANK
Uh... I stopped sleeping.
TRINKETT
You-... Frank, that’s not a small thing.
FRANK
Never really slept much to begin with so... I don’t know, I get tired at night like everybody else but then the sun comes up the next morning and I’m fine.
TRINKETT
... Have you told June about any of this?
FRANK
June knows but I haven’t told her about the mounting evidence. She’s been a little distracted.
TRINKETT
... Well, in retrospect you have seemed different lately.
FRANK
Different lately? Of course I’ve seemed different lately, Trinkett. I died... The guy you went to middle school with is dead... I’m not him... I’m whatever was put in his place...
TRINKETT
I don’t think that’s true, Frank.
FRANK
Trinkett, I don’t care about whatever Stevie Nicks song you’re going to sing me about my soul in the moonlight or whatever, my body was disintegrated and something else was put where my body used to be.
TRINKETT
Frank, I’m maybe the only person who can talk to you about what you’re going through right now, you want to shove it with the witch jokes for a minute?
FRANK
...
TRINKETT
... Do you remember the time I convinced you to go to my parent’s Renaissance Faire?
FRANK
You didn’t convince me to go.
TRINKETT
Right, I didn’t, you were dating some girl back then. SHE thought it would be fun, so there you were in the middle of the Renaissance Faire... Do you remember my parents’ Renaissance Faire?
FRANK
It was a pretty crappy Renaissance Fair, Trinkett.
TRINKETT
It wasn’t great.
FRANK
The Bard with the Tuba?
TRINKETT
There was a bard and she was playing the tuba, yes. But she was very enthusiastic and it was all she knew how to play.
FRANK
Kind of broke the illusion for me.
TRINKETT
Well, there were also cash registers, so...
FRAN
Why are you bringing this up?
TRINKETT
Because you were there.
FRANK
That wasn’t me.
TRINKETT
We’ve been talking a lot about your body, Frank. And thinking about it. And agonizing over it. This is more than I ever expected to talk about your body in my lifetime. I don’t know what this new thing is you’re inhabiting, but I’m here to tell you: your body, to me, and to those that care about you, is the least important part of you. It’s just a place that you live in for a while. It could be anything, honestly.
FRANK
... How do I figure out what I am?
TRINKETT
Frank, how does anybody?
FRANK
There’s nothing in the self help section of the book store for this.
TRINKETT
I know. You’ll have to write your own book.
FRANK
I don’t want to write my own book.
TRINKETT
I don’t mean literally write a book, but, side note, don’t get mad if I start taking notes around you... You should start by talking to people. But maybe talk to them before you plummet four stories off a cliff.
FRANK
I’m not telling Steve about this.
TRINKETT
Absolutely do not talk to Steve about this... But you should talk to June.
FRANK
I know.
TRINKETT
And I know you hate that because you don’t like to ask for things, but you have to, Frank. This is too big for you to be the lonely guy up the mountain.
FRANK
I’m not the lonely guy up the mountain.
TRINKETT
Kinda. You kinda are, Frank.
FRANK
I like people.
TRINKETT
You do. And it’s what you hate about yourself the most.
FRANK
... Thank you for being normal about this. Or abnormal, you’re not having the reaction I thought you would.
TRINKETT
Yeah. I’ve been thinking lately... I think we’ve barely scratched the surface.
FRANK
Of what?
TRINKETT
... Something’s going on, Frank. All these things that are happening, it’s all headed toward something. It seems random but there’s a rhyme and reason to it, I don’t know what. That experience at Cameron’s house with the mushrooms, it really broke me. Then I took the ayahuasca to try and find a way forward and in a weird way it did, because there I suddenly was with Steve in the glade of wishes. Have you noticed Doug lately?
FRANK
He’s like a different guy.
TRINKETT
Right. I mean, the same.
FRANK
Yeah, still a mess.
TRINKETT
But different. He’s really risen to the occasion. All these things are bringing us closer to ourselves and bringing us closer to each other. You and I could’ve never had this conversation a year ago.
FRANK
Scratching the surface of what?
TRINKETT
I don’t know. But all of this is heading toward something. What’s going on with you right now is just part of that.
FRANK
... I am... glad you’re here...
TRINKETT
... Wow.
FRANK
Yeah.
TRINKETT
That was rough for you you.
FRANK
It was.
TRINKETT
Are you okay?
FRANK
Not really.
TRINKETT
Well, here, let me give you something to make fun of so you’ll feel more comfortable.
FRANK
What’s that?
TRINKETT GETS UP AND GETS SOMETHING OUT OF HER BAG.
TRINKETT
I do this whenever I sleep in the woods.
TRINKETT BEGINS SHAKING A BAG AND POURING A LINE OF SOMETHING AROUND THE ENTIRE CAMP SITE.
FRANK
Okay, what’s this about?
TRINKETT
Just a little security for the evening.
FRANK
Oh my god... wait... is that just a big bag of oats?
TRINKETT
Yes.
FRANK
You’re pouring out a bag of oats right now.
TRINKETT
Yes.
FRANK
Oh boy the explanation for this is going to be really something isn’t it?
TRINKETT
Laugh all you want, this is what I do.
FRANK
Please tell me.
TRINKETT
I pour a circle of oats around my campsite... because fae people cannot cross a line of oats.
FRANK
Fae people?
TRINKETT
Yes.
FRANK
Fairies?
TRINKETT
If you must.
FRANK
You’ve just fairy-proofed our campsite.
TRINKETT
Yes, Frank. Fae people are essential and beautiful creatures and they can also be total dicks. So you surround yourself with a circle of oats to protect you from their dickishness.
FRANK
I see. And how do we protect ourselves from the legion of mice that are about to attack our campsite?
TRINKETT
I’m trusting the owls to take care of that problem.
FRANK
Well, I feel safer.
TRINKETT
Me too. Watch: fuck you, fairies! See, I wouldn’t do that if I wasn’t surrounded by oats right now.
FRANK
Okay, be honest, are you doing this just to cheer me up right now?
TRINKETT
No, but I’m glad it is.
FRANK
Okay, well now that you’ve protected our campsite from fairies with magical oats we can get a good night’s sleep before we go hunt a monster in the woods tomorrow. Because we live in Narnia now.
TRINKETT
Yes. I’d offer to keep first watch but apparently you’re not going to sleep, so it’s all you tonight. I hope you brought a book.
FRANK
I’ve got a thrilling book on Japanese furniture joinery I’ve been meaning to get to.
TRINKETT
Uh huh. But I’m the weird one.
FRANK
You are.
TRINKETT
Good night, Frank.
FRANK
Good night.
TRINKETT
Actually, give me the first few pages of that book, I bet it’ll put me right out.
FRANK
Sure.
FRANK OPENS HIS BOOK AND READS.
FRANK (CONT’D)
At its core, Japanese joinery is a testament to the profound respect for wood as a living material. Unlike Western methods that often rely on metal fasteners or adhesives, traditional Japanese joinery uses interlocking wooden joints to create furniture and structures that can stand the test of time. These joints are designed to accommodate the natural movement of wood, resulting in pieces that not only endure but often grow stronger with age.
WE FADE OUT ON FRANK READING TO TRINKETT. THE NEXT MORNING FRANK IS AT THE EDGE OF CAMP, LOOKING THROUGH HIS BINOCULARS. TRINKETT APPROACHES.
TRINKETT
Hey.
FRANK
Hey, how’d you sleep?
TRINKETT
Good, I always sleep great out here. What are you looking at?
FRANK
Here, take the binoculars.
TRINKETT
Okay... I don’t see anything, you need new binoculars.
FRANK
The binoculars are fine, it’s down over there. See that clearcutting patch?
TRINKETT
Yes.
FRANK
It’s a perfect square where the timber company cleared out the trees, now look just south of that.
TRINKETT
Huh.
FRANK
What is that?
TRINKETT
It’s another blank patch but it’s jagged as it goes through the trees.
FRANK
Right.
TRINKETT
... Like something cleared a path through the woods.
FRANK
Exactly.
TRINKETT
... Something really big.
FRANK
... Something really big.
TRINKETT
Damn... Okay... let’s go...
LATER. FRANK AND TRINKETT MAKE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE WOODS.
TRINKETT (CONT’D)
... Do you still eat food?
FRANK
What?
TRINKETT
Do you still eat food?
FRANK
Trinkett, now that we’ve had our little talk, please don’t treat me like a carnival freak.
TRINKETT
Carnival freak? Frank, come on, I was just asking a question. Wouldn’t you be curious?
FRANK
I still eat food.
TRINKETT
Okay... Good to know... You know, I was thinking last night, I’m worried that you don’t sleep anymore.
FRANK
I feel fine.
TRINKETT
Sleeping is when we commune with the astral plane, it’s really important for spiritual health, it’s why people lose their minds from sleep deprivation.
FRANK
I feel fine.
TRINKETT
But then I thought, maybe in this new form you’re existing simultaneously in this plane and the astral plane.
FRANK
I feel like I’m right here on this plane, Trinkett.
TRINKETT
What does the moon look like to you?
FRANK
The moon?
TRINKETT
Yes.
FRANK
The moon looks like the damn moon.
TRINKETT
It doesn’t look like it’s looking at you?
FRANK
Are you kidding me?
TRINKETT
... What’s that sound?
FAR OFF, WE HEAR THE SOUND OF A BLACKSMITH.
FRANK
I don’t know.
TRINKETT
Do we know anyone who lives out here?
FRANK
Honestly, since the fall I’m a little turned around.
THEY WALK TOWARD THE SOUND.
TRINKETT
Here’s an interesting question, if we find someone out here do we warn them?
FRANK
Warn them?
TRINKETT
Yeah. I mean, what if there’s something dangerous out here, shouldn’t we tell them?
FRANK
We warn them about something out here that may or may not be here, we don’t know what it looks like, and it could be our imagination?
TRINKETT
Yeah, okay, I hear you.
FRANK
Wait a minute.
TRINKETT
What?
FRANK
Blacksmith in the woods.
TRINKETT
Sounds like it.
FRANK
I know who this is.
TRINKETT
Who?... Oh!
FRANK
Maybe we should keep walking.
TRINKETT
Tavrok?
FRANK
Jesus.
WE HEAR THE SOUND OF WHITE-HOT METAL BEING PLUNGED INTO COLD WATER. TAVROK EMERGES FROM HIS WORKSHOP.
TAVROK
Good day to you, Trinkett.
TRINKETT
Hey.
TAVROK
And to you, Frank.
FRANK
Hey, Tavrok.
TRINKETT
I didn’t realize you were living out here now, who’s place is this?
TAVROK
Three seasons ago I felled the trees and built it myself. I came upon this glade after a harsh storm and decided to make it my hearth and home.
FRANK
You built all of this?
TAVROK
I was possessed by a deep yearning.
FRANK
Uh huh.
TRINKETT
It’s beautiful.
TAVROK
What brings you to the deep forest this day?
TRINKETT
Um, well...
FRANK
We uh...
TRINKETT
Have... have you been seeing anything strange lately, Tavrok? We’re kind of on a mission.
TAVROK
... So you’ve seen the beast then.
TRINKETT
The... beast?
TAVROK
Indeed.
TRINKETT
We haven’t seen anything, we’ve just heard it.
TAVROK
As have I. A great bellow as the sun rises and sets. Then in the day I have seen the path it cuts through the great wood.
For three days now it has passed my home in the twilight. I’ve yet to lay eyes on it, but soon I shall be ready.
FRANK
Ready for what, Tavrok?
TAVROK
Come. If it’s the beast you seek, you won’t find it whilst wandering the deep. You may sup with me tonight and we shall wait until it passes by in the fading light.
FRANK
We don’t want to put you out Tavrok-
TRINKETT
We’d love to.
FRANK
... We’d love to.
LATER. INSIDE TAVROK’S CABIN. TAVROK IS BUSY IN THE KITCHEN.
FRANK (CONT’D)
Tavrok, you really built this whole place? It’s really... it’s really fantastic.
TAVROK
Many thanks, Frank. I know you too are a craftsman, your words fill me with joy.
TRINKETT
Tavrok, I can’t believe you’ve been here for less than a year, it feels really lived in.
TAVROK
I believe the wood takes on a part of your soul when you work upon it. I placed within these walls all of my years.
TRINKETT
You can really tell.
TAVROK
Come, let us partake in my mead.
TAVROK PLACES TWO FLAGONS OF MEAD DOWN ON THE TABLE.
FRANK
Well, now.
TRINKETT
Thank you.
TAVROK
I drink to you, my friends: By chalice, flagon, or humble horn, We drink to friendship 'til the morn.
FRANK
L'chaim.
THEY ALL DRINK.
FRANK (CONT’D)
Oh my, that is tasty.
TAVROK
Please excuse me. I must tend the fire and turn the elk loin.
TAVROK EXITS OUT THE BACK DOOR.
TRINKETT
I can never tell if he’s for real or not.
FRANK
I don’t know if he’s for real but I’m drinking mead and about to have some elk loin, I had no idea Tavrok was running a destination restaurant out here.
TRINKETT
I wonder if he has a vegan option.
FRANK
Don’t ruin it.
TRINKETT
So June used to date him?
FRANK
Oh yeah, it was pretty serious for a while but then he wanted her to move out here and raise chickens or something.
TRINKETT
That was the deal breaker?
FRANK
Apparently.
TRINKETT
The man built his own cabin and looks like he escaped from the cover of a fantasy novel, she couldn’t raise a few chickens?
FRANK
I think the attractiveness of a man drops sharply when he asks you to do manual labor.
TRINKETT
Might have done her some good.
FRANK
Hey, he’s single, make your move.
TRINKETT
His body is 90% deer meat, it would never work.
TAVROK WALKS IN WITH A TRAY OF SIZZLING MEAT.
TAVROK
We dine.
LATER IN THE EVENING. TAVROK RECITES A POEM.
TAVROK (CONT’D)
O cruel Fate. O bitter tears. That steal away our golden years. Though kingdoms rise and empires fall, Her memory I'll forever recall. By candlelight I weep and pray, For she who's gone so far away. Till stars do fade and time shall cease, My love endures beyond life's lease.
THEY CLAP.
FRANK
Amazing. Amazing work.
TRINKETT
It’s so real, Tavrok.
TAVROK
Many thanks. It is one of many I’ve composed since June and I parted. One day I will awake and the verses will not come. But that day has yet to arrive. If you will excuse me, the honeycakes are now ready.
TAVROK EXITS.
TRINKETT
Honeycakes too?
FRANK
I’m excited about the honeycakes.
TRINKETT
Damn. June’s got to get it together, she’s got to take one for the team.
FRANK
Are you a little drunk right now?
TRINKETT
I’m a little drunk right now, are you?
FRANK
I don’t know.
TRINKETT
I think this was good. I don’t think we came out here for the thing in the woods, I think we needed to get out of the city and get back to basics, right?
FRANK
I love that you call Hood’s Pocket “The City”.
TRINKETT
I know right?
WE SUDDENLY HEAR A DISTANT AND DEEP “THUD”, LIKE A HUGE FOOTSTEP.
TRINKETT (CONT’D)
... Did you feel that?
FRANK
I think so.
GIGANTIC FOOTSTEPS MOVE CLOSER AND CLOSER.
TRINKETT
Holy shit.
TAVROK REENTERS.
TAVROK
... It comes.
FRANK
Everybody stay where you are, I’m going to get my rifle.
TAVROK
And I, my sword.
FRANK
Tavrok don’t-
TAVROK DRAWS A COMICALLY LARGE SWORD.
FRANK (CONT’D)
... whatever.
FRANK GETS HIS RIFLE FROM HIS PACK AS THE CREATURE GETS CLOSER AND CLOSER. ITEMS INSIDE TAVROK’S CABIN BEGIN TO SHAKE.
TRINKETT
How fucking big is this thing?
THE FOOTSTEPS STOP AND WE HEAR THE CALL OF THE BEAST. THEY DON’T RECOGNIZE IT, BUT WE CAN RECOGNIZE IT AS THE CALL OF THE MUNGO.
TAVROK
We go together, Frank. For glory.
FRANK
Fuck it. Let’s go.
FRANK AND TAVROK EXIT THE CABIN AND INTO THE GLADE. THE MUNGO CALLS AGAIN.
FRANK (CONT’D) Oh my God.
TAVROK
... look at it’s majesty.
FRANK
What the fuck is that?
TAVROK
Keep it in your sights, Frank. I will make my way towards it.
TRINKETT
Guys.
FRANK
Tavrok, it’s the size of an apartment building, it’s not going to notice your sword.
TRINKETT
Guys... It’s just eating the pine cones.
WE CAN NOW HEAR THE SOUND OF THE MUNGO STRIPPING THE TREE BRANCHES OF PINE CONES AND EATING THEM WHOLE.
TRINKETT (CONT’D)
Tavrok do you have a basket of pinecones for starting fires and stuff?
TAVROK
By the door.
TRINKETT
Give me a minute, guys.
FRANK
Bad idea, Trinkett.
TRINKETT
Don’t worry about it.
TRINKETT PICKS UP THE BASKET AND MAKES HER WAY ACROSS THE GLADE. AS SHE APPROACHES THE MUNGO IT GROANS AT HER APPROACH.
TRINKETT (CONT’D)
Hey there... I have a whole bunch of those right here.
THE MUNGO SLOWLY LOWERS ITS LONG NECK ALL THE WAY DOWN TO TRINKETT AND BEGINS EATING THE PINE CONES. WE CAN NOW HEAR IT’S MASSIVE EXHALES THROUGH ITS HUGE NOSTRILS. TRINKETT PETS ITS HEAD
TRINKETT (CONT’D)
Hey you... what are you?... You look like you’re a long way from home. It’s a big forest, though. You’ve got it all to yourself for as long as you want it, okay?
TAVROK AND FRANK APPROACH BEHIND HER.
FRANK
Well, this’ll be a fun town meeting.
TAVROK
It is a placid beast. A gentle one.
FRANK
Thank god, it could flatten the whole town in an hour.
TAVROK
I must learn to ride it.
FRANK
No.
TRINKETT
Yeah, I don’t think you should try and ride it, Tavrok. You are going to need to keep an eye on it though, this being is in a strange, new place now... How about you give it a name?
TAVROK
A name. Yes. A creature this majestic deserves a name of majesty... I Tavrok Stormbringer dub thee... Lucian Thunderstruck.
FRANK
Oh give me a fucking break.
THE MUNGO CALLS INTO THE NIGHT. WE TRANSITION TO FRANK’S TRUCK DRIVES TOWARD HOME.
TRINKETT
... This was really great.
FRANK
... I’m glad you had a good time.
TRINKETT
I did... You didn’t have a good time?
FRANK
We think it’s okay to just leave Tavrok with that huge thing?
TRINKETT
Lucian.
FRANK
Please don’t make me call it Lucian.
TRINKETT
They’re going to be great together. We’ve just given the fantasy-obsessed woodland blacksmith a mythical creature to take care of. This is the best day of his life.
FRANK
Yeah...
TRINKETT
... We’re going back to town and reality is setting back in? You’re still wondering what the hell you are?
FRANK
I am, Trinkett. Yes.
TRINKETT
That’s okay...
FRANK
...
TRINKETT
... In my world, there’s this guy called The Green Man. You’ve probably seen pictures, it’s a man but he’s covered in leaves and twings.
FRANK
I think I’ve seen some tattoos.
TRINKETT
Oh yeah. Tons of tattoos of The Green Man out there. He’s this mysterious spirit of the forest whose been wandering since the beginning of time... You know, a lot of people think that The Green Man is from medieval England. But actually you can see depictions of The Green Man from the 2nd century BCE in Iraq. You can see him in India, Nepal, Borneo. Nobody really knows where he came from... Maybe he doesn’t either... That big creature we just met, he’s wandering around in the forest not knowing where he is or why he’s there. You are too... But the thing is Frank: so am I. So is anybody... It’s all the same journey... yours just looks a little different.
FRANK
... So what am I supposed to do now?
TRINKETT
You think it’s this thing you need to do... Just live, Frank... The journey will take care of itself.
LATER, BACK AT THE HORIZON. ELDIN IS OUTSIDE VERGE’S ROOM.
ELDIN
Verge, you can’t put me outside every time we have an argument, you’re being a child.
FAR OFF WE HEAR THE CALL OF THE MUNGO.
ELDIN (CONT’D)
... Is that a fucking Mungo?
FRANK’S TRUCK PULLS UP TO THE HORIZON AND FRANK GETS OUT.
ELDIN (CONT’D)
Good evening, Frank.
FRANK
Eldin. What are you doing out here?
ELDIN
It happens sometimes. Verge and I get into an argument and they put me out here on the handrail.
FRANK
That happen a lot?
ELDIN
More and more recently.
FRANK
Kind of wish I had that option with a few people.
ELDIN
Don’t you, though?
FRANK
What if it rains?
ELDIN
I can operate in the void of space, Frank.
FRANK
Sure.
FRANK STARTS TO WALK INTO THE OFFICE AND THEN STOPS.
ELDIN
Can I help you with something, Frank?
FRANK
Back at the house of mushrooms... you scanned my lungs.
ELDIN
... I did.
FRANK
...
ELDIN
...
FRANK
... So, we should talk.
ELDIN
I thought you’d never ask. Please, step into my office.
THE END.